Browns’ offensive snap counts, stats, and notes: Week 1

Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on offense for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 1 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

• It’s a shame that Baker Mayfield couldn’t get that final pass out of bounds before the defender started tripping him up — the Browns still had a decent shot of pulling off a victory there. Aside from that, Mayfield was masterful with his footwork, timing, looking off his first reads, selling playaction fakes, etc. He was throwing these with ease all game:

• Per PFF, Mayfield threw the ball 10.4 yards per throw, which was the second-highest among Week 1 quarterbacks. That could be a sign that Kevin Stefanski will look to stretch the field more often this year through the air.

• Like Mayfield, Nick Chubb played a solid game, aside from the fumble. It happens, but obviously stands out more against a team that has a prolific offense like the Chiefs do. Per PFF, Chubb “churned out 55 yards after contact and forced six missed tackles in another solid showing.”
• Kareem Hunt looked sharp in his debut as well, contributing 9 touches for 61 yards and accounting for 8 of the team’s points (a touchdown and two-point conversion).
• The Browns’ screen game with the backs looked pretty good.
• There were no offensive snaps for rookie RB/WR Demetric Felton.

• Prior to the game, fans were surprised to hear that Odell Beckham Jr. would not be active — although after hearing that news, it’s completely understandable, given what he’s trying to come back from.
• The other thing no one really expected was the role that Anthony Schwartz would have. He played over half of the snaps, catching 3 passes for 69 yards. It’s too bad he couldn’t haul in the jump-ball type of pass late in the game, although that’s not his strong suit and the defensive back did a nice job knocking it free.
• I wasn’t sure how much Donovan Peoples-Jones had played, given the fact that he only had one catch late in the game. He actually played 80% of the snaps, but was only targeted that one time.
• Another year, and another start to the season in which Rashard Higgins’ role on offense was diminished, as he only played 4 snaps.

• PFF called TE David Njoku “a matchup nightmare” for the Chiefs. I loved how the Browns utilized him on downfield routes — give him enough time to get into those routes, and he can beat a linebacker for big yardage, especially with the way Mayfield was throwing the ball.
• TE Austin Hooper had three early catches, but wasn’t involved as a receiver after that.

• Chris Hubbard filled in well, all things considered. It’s a shame that Jedrick Wills has suffered early injuries now in each of his two games against the Chiefs.
• Per PFF, LG Joel Bitonio and RT Jack Conklin were the best-graded offensive linemen in the NFL at their positions for Week 1. RG Wyatt Teller, though, was deemed “just average” after a dominant 2020 season.